Washtenaw Community College

Washtenaw Community College. Washtenaw Community College is a public community college located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, serving Washtenaw County and the surrounding region. Established in 1965, the institution has grown into a comprehensive center for career training, associate degree programs, and community education. It operates as a key component of the Michigan Community College Association and plays a vital role in the local economy and workforce development.

History

The college was founded by a vote of Washtenaw County residents in 1965, with initial classes held in rented facilities including the former Willow Run bomber plant and buildings in downtown Ypsilanti. Its first permanent campus opened in 1967 on Huron River Drive, a site later sold to Concordia University Ann Arbor. Under the leadership of its first president, Gunder A. Myran, the institution relocated to its current expansive campus on Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor Township in 1971. Subsequent decades saw significant expansion, including the construction of the Morris Lawrence Building and the Health and Fitness Center, aligning with the evolving needs of industries like the Big Three automakers and emerging information technology sectors.

Academics

The college offers over 100 associate degree and certificate programs across diverse fields including advanced manufacturing, nursing, culinary arts, digital media arts, and business administration. It maintains strong transfer agreements with four-year institutions such as the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and Michigan State University. Notable specialized facilities include the Advanced Transportation Center, which supports training for the Ford Motor Company and other manufacturers, and the WCC Health and Fitness Center, which houses its health sciences programs. The college is also a leader in online education and continuing education for professionals.

Campus

The main 245-acre campus is situated along the Huron River in Ann Arbor Township, featuring modern instructional buildings like the Student Center building, the GM Manufacturing Center, and the WCC Health and Fitness Center. The campus includes the WCC Morris Lawrence Building, home to the WCC Performing Arts department and the Towsley Auditorium. Other key facilities are the WCC Bailey Library and the WCC Occupational Education building, which contains labs for welding and robotics. The college also operates extension sites in Chelsea and at Brighton High School.

Student life

Student life is supported by over 30 clubs and organizations, including chapters of Phi Theta Kappa and the Student American Dental Hygienists' Association. The WCC Student Activities office organizes events throughout the year, while the college's athletic teams, known as the WCC Cardinals, compete in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and the National Junior College Athletic Association. Students produce media through WCC Radio and the WCC Journal newspaper, and performances are held at the Towsley Auditorium. The campus also hosts the annual Ann Arbor Summer Festival and other community events.

Notable people

Notable alumni include Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Shannon Brown, former NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers; and John U. Bacon, author and sports historian. Faculty and staff of note have included Morris Lawrence, a revered music educator for whom a building is named, and Rose B. Bellanca, the institution's long-serving president. Other distinguished alumni are Mike Duggan, the mayor of Detroit, and Rudy Tomjanovich, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Category:Universities and colleges in Michigan Category:Community colleges in Michigan Category:Educational institutions established in 1965 Category:Ann Arbor, Michigan